Again the girl hesitated; she hated to say it, but if it would help
to recall the past to that poor, dimmed mind, it was her duty.

"Every time I called you 'highness' you made me give you a--a kiss,"
she almost whispered.

"I hope," said Barney, "that you will be guilty of lese-majeste
often."

"We were little children then, your majesty," the girl reminded him.

Had he thought her of sound mind Mr. Custer might have taken
advantage of his royal prerogatives on the spot, for the girl's lips
were most tempting; but when he remembered the poor, weak mind,
tears almost came to his eyes, and there sprang to his heart a great
desire to protect and guard this unfortunate child.

"And when I was Crown Prince what were you, way back there in the
beautiful days of our childhood?" asked Barney.

"Why, I was what I still am, your majesty," replied the girl.
"Princess Emma von der Tann."

So the poor child, beside thinking him a king, thought herself a
princess! She certainly was mad. Well, he would humor her.

"Then I should call you 'your highness,' shouldn't I?" he asked.

"You always called me Emma when we were children."